Guwahati, April 8: The high-stakes elections for Assam’s 126-member Assembly are set for April 9, with a majority of constituencies witnessing direct contests between the BJP-led NDA and the Congress-led opposition alliance.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is aiming for a third consecutive term, while the Indian National Congress (Congress) is seeking to return to power after its 2016 defeat.
A total of 722 candidates are contesting, including Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia, AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal, Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi, and AJP president Lurinjyoti Gogoi.
Polling will be held from 7 am to 5 pm across 31,490 polling stations in 35 districts, with around 2.50 crore eligible voters, including 1.25 crore women and 318 third-gender voters.
Among political parties, Congress has fielded 99 candidates, followed by BJP with 90. The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) is contesting 30 seats, while NDA allies Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) have fielded 26 and 11 candidates, respectively. Other parties in the fray include Raijor Dal, Assam Jatiya Parishad, CPI(M), APHLC, AAP, UPPL, TMC, and JMM, along with 258 independent candidates.
Algapur-Katlicherra and Karimganj South have the highest number of candidates at 15 each, while nine constituencies—including Rangia, Jagiroad (SC), Hojai, Naduar, Jonai (ST), Doomdooma, Mahmora, Teok, and Lakhipur—have only two candidates each. Of the total contestants, 59 are women, with Congress fielding the highest number at 14, followed by BJP with seven.
Key electoral battles include Jalukbari, where Sarma is seeking a sixth consecutive term against Congress candidate Bidisha Neog, and Jorhat, where Gaurav Gogoi is making his Assembly debut against BJP’s Hitendranath Goswami. In Nazira, Debabrata Saikia is attempting to retain his stronghold against BJP’s Mayur Borgohain, while Tamulpur will witness a direct contest involving UPPL chief Pramod Boro.
Other notable contests include Badruddin Ajmal in Binnakandi, Akhil Gogoi in Sibsagar, Lurinjyoti Gogoi in Khowang, AGP president Atul Bora in Bokakhat, and Minister Keshav Mahanta in Kaliabor.
Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Goel said webcasting has been arranged at all polling stations for real-time monitoring. Security has been strengthened with the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces, including personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force.
The electorate includes 6.42 lakh first-time voters, 2.50 lakh voters aged 80 and above—including 2,466 centenarians—and 2.05 lakh persons with disabilities.
